Report Recommends Parking Fee Hikes in Downtown Rochester

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Rochester City Council will be presented with a report on future parking fees at its committee meeting Monday afternoon. A consultant has put together an analysis that aims to simplify the city’s current rate structure while also making more parking spaces available to downtown visitors.

That portion of the report will likely attract the most scrutiny. The consultants and city staff are recommending a gradual decrease in the number of city-owned parking spaces in ramps and lots that are eligible to be rented by people working downtown and businesses. The plan would cut the number of those spaces by the current 2000 to 1400 in 2022, while also raising the rental fees over the same time period to over $250 per month. The current charge for regular daytime parking is $95 per month. The report states the proposed rate is based on providing a 20-percent discount to those renting spaces. The current discounts range from 43 to 72-percent.

The proposal would also ramp up regular parking fees. While the plan would retain free parking for visits lasting less than an hour, the fee for parking between 6 and 12 hours would rise $6.50 to $16 during the 5 year period. Short-term parking, 2 hours or less, would cost $6 by 2022 compared to the current $3.50. The recommendation also calls for adding a charge for parking after 5 pm, weekends and events, which are currently free.

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